A zipper closure system for allowing one hand zipping of objects requiring sufficient compressive force to close is provided. The zipper closure system comprises a set of tracks having a row of teeth mate-able with other, a plurality of sliders that are adapted to move along the row of teeth, a connector joining the plurality of sliders and allowing the user to move the plurality of sliders along the row of fasteners. The zipper system can further comprise a pull ring, and a stopping means.
The described invention relates generally to closure systems for use with garments and the like, and more specifically to a zipper system that includes a plurality of zippers which have been modified to allow a user to easily close the zipper on a garment by using only one hand.
Countless devices contain fasteners, of which one popular type is a zipper. A typical zipper includes a track or chain having two rows of teeth that interlock or mate with each other. A zipper slider is located on the track so that a user can pull on a pull tab on the zipper slider in order to move the slider up and down the track, thereby causing the zipper to zip open and closed as desired. A drawback in the current zipper systems is that if any pressure or tension is need to close the zipper a person must use two hands or have assistance from another person to close the zipper. Thus, there are countless situations that would benefit from a zipper system that use of only one hand to close the zipper system.
Therefore, while various devices are known in the art for fastening or closing together cloth or garments, a need still exists in the art for a zipper system that is easy to use, especially with only one hand.
The following provides a summary of exemplary embodiments of zipper system according to the present invention. This summary is not an extensive overview and is not intended to identify key or critical aspects or elements of the present invention or to delineate its scope. This invention provides a solution for consumers that need to close garments, specifically garments and such that require sufficient compressive pressure to adequately close the gap in those garments, such as compression stockings, wetsuits, and other garments that have elastic properties. The present invention allows a user to easily zip up or close a zipper with only one hand on garments or the like that require sufficient inward compressive pressure to enable mating of the two rows of teeth to provide closure to the zipper system.
Another aspect of this invention, a zipper system is provided. This zipping system includes a set of tracks having a row of fasteners mate-able with each other, a plurality of sliders that cooperate with the row of fasteners, a connector system for joining the plurality of sliders and allowing the user to move the plurality of sliders along the row of fasteners, and a brake system.
The plurality of sliders is adapted to cooperate with the row of fasteners of the first and the second tracks, and the plurality of sliders further comprises a first slider adapted to slide along the first track, a second slider adapted to slide along the second track, and a third slider, central to the first and second sliders, that cooperates with both the first and second tracks to cause first and second track to mate to form a closed chain.
The connector system further comprises a plurality of extenders and a pull ring. The plurality of extenders further comprises a first extender attached to a first pull tab of the first slider, and the first extender is further attached to a first connector piece, and the first connector piece is further attached to a third connector piece, a second extender attached to a second pull tab of the second slider, and the second extender is further attached to a second connector piece, and the second connector piece is further attached to the third connector piece, and a third extender attached to a third pull tab of the third slider, wherein the third extender is further attached to the third connector piece. The pull ring is attached to the third connector piece to allow easy movement along the row of fasteners of both tracks to form the closed chain. The brake system holds the plurality of sliders in place once the sliders have reached a predetermined position on the track and the full chain has been formed.
As previously indicated, a first general embodiment of this invention provides zipper closure system; a second general embodiment provides a zipper system for use with one hand; a third general embodiment provides a zipper system for use with one hand having a bundling means; and a fourth general embodiment of this invention provides a zipper system for use with hand having a brake and/or release mechanism. With reference now to the Figures, one or more specific embodiments of this invention shall be described in greater detail. |
